Scientific Name: Anaxyrus fowleri
Size: 2-3.7 inches (5-9.5 cm) in length
PA Status: Species of special concern
Habitat Type:
Lowland, open habitat with sandy, gravelly or well drained soil near streams or rivers.
Colorations:
- The dorsal background color ranges from light brown to grey with a series of irregular, paired dark spots on each side of the middorsal like of the back. Each spot has 4-6 large warts.
- A light thin dorsal stripe may be present.
- The ventral color is dirt cream colored without spotting or with a single spot in the center of the chest.
Characteristics:
- The body is squat and stout.
- The legs are short and heavy.
- The head is broad,
- The eyes are prominent.
- The cranial crest are well-developed with the postorbital branches behind the eyes. The parotids are prominent, elongate, slightly divergent posteriorly, and make contact with the postorbital crest.
- The dorsal skin is covered with various sized warts.
- The ventral skin is rough and granular.
- The toes of the hind legs are moderately webbed.
Tadpole coloration and characteristics:
- Small. Average 1.8-2.4 cm
- The body and tail are black or dark brown.
- The tail fin is rounded and translucent.
- The tail is short.
Confused with:
- American Toad
- Spadefoot Toad
Coloration/Pattern Photos:
Adults
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Tadpoles
Eggs
Range Map:

References:
- Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 134-138pp.
Photo Credits:
- Jeff Hankey
- Bob Hamilton